Mumbai
India
Venue and gathering details to follow.
Contact: TBD
DECEMBER 21, 2026 WORLDWIDE
SOLSTICEBELLS
Hope has a sound ourplanet needs to hear.
At the winter solstice, ring a bell with people around the world. A shared moment of hope, reflection, and brighter days.
Join the ringingA small sound. A shared world.
No musical training needed. A handbell, a bicycle bell, a dinner bell—
whatever is at hand becomes part of the piece.
A MOMENT OF CONNECTION
Something we can
share across the world.
Solstice Bells brings music, storytelling, and public art together in a global arts and education project. In a divided world, a shared sound can remind us of what connects us.
On December 21, we welcome the return of light in the Northern Hemisphere. Ring to remember someone, to celebrate, to heal, or simply to listen.
The people behind the bells.
- Greg Niemeyer
- Data artist & producer
- Mark Barger Elliott
- Producer & director
- Darren Zhu
- Composer
DECEMBER 21, 2026 · WORLDWIDE
There’s a part for you.
One bell. Wherever you are.
Solstice Bells is an invitation to listen and ring together. Bring any bell, and help welcome the turning of the season.
EVERY BELL HAS A STORY
Who will you ring for?
For someone you love.
For something you believe in.
For a brighter day.
WHY I RINGGreg · For my Mom
What does your bell mean to you? Share the person, place, or hope behind your ringing.
Share your bell story (opens the story form in a new tab)Find your bell.
A handbell, a bicycle bell, a dinner bell—use whatever you have. No musical training is needed.
Explore bellsFind your gathering.
Ring with friends, family, or a local gathering. You can also take part wherever you are.
Explore locationsListen. Then ring.
Get to know the music and follow the audience score. Leave room to listen to the bells around you.
Explore the music
FIND YOUR PART
Four ways to be part of Solstice Bells.
- Bell Ringer
- Participate. No cost.Bring a bell and join the ringing.Sign up to ring (opens the sign-up form in a new tab)
Tell us a little about yourself and the bell you’ll bring. Local gathering details are coming soon.
- Bell Steward
- Host an event.Bring people together for a local ringing.Sign up to host (opens the sign-up form in a new tab)
Tell us about your community and where you’d like to host. Event planning resources are coming soon.
- Bell Keeper
- Donate up to $10,000. Support Solstice Bells events around the globe.Explore donating (opens the Bell Keeper form in a new tab)
Help local communities make Solstice Bells their own. Donation options and details about the events you’ll support are coming soon.
- Ringleader
- Donate above $10,000. Underwrite the production of the iconic “Solstice Bells”.Explore leading
Help create the bells that carry this shared sound. Production details and ways to support the work are coming soon.
A SOUND OF YOUR OWN
Explore bells.
Bell gallery & shop
A small bell can hold a big meaning. Find a sound to make part of your story.
Bells to buy, coming soon.
We’re gathering bells for the gallery and shop. Come back soon to explore the collection and find one to ring.
You’re always welcome to join with a bell you already have.
Back to ParticipateNEAR AND FAR
A world of bells.
Find a place to ring together.
One shared moment, at different times of day. These locations are part of our developing event plan. Gathering details will be added as they are confirmed.
Listed by local clock time, using a 24-hour clock. All times correspond to December 21, 2026 at 20:50:15 UTC.
EARLY MORNING
December 22, 2026
IST · UTC+5:30
BEFORE DAWN
December 22, 2026
China Standard Time · UTC+8
Shanghai
China
Venue and gathering details to follow.
Contact: TBD
MIDDAY
December 21, 2026
PST · UTC−8
UC Berkeley Carillon
Berkeley, California · United States
Carillon ringing at UC Berkeley. Gathering details to follow.
Contact: TBD
Grace Cathedral
San Francisco, California · United States
Gathering details to follow.
Contact: TBD
Stanford University Carillon
Stanford, California · United States
Carillon ringing at Stanford University. Gathering details to follow.
Contact: TBD
Swissnex San Francisco
San Francisco, California · United States
Gathering details to follow.
Contact: TBD
EVENING / UTC
December 21, 2026
GMT / UTC
Greenwich
London · United Kingdom · GMT
Venue and gathering details to follow.
Contact: TBD
International Space Station
Earth orbit · Time shown in UTC
Participation details to follow.
Contact: TBD
LISTEN · RING · TOGETHER
A shared composition.
Your bell is part of the music.
Darren Zhu’s composition turns the changing length of daylight into music. Your latitude and the rhythms of the year shape when your bell rings—so each place becomes a distinct voice in a shared performance.
EARTH’S RHYTHMS, HEARD TOGETHER
A composition
written by light.
As daylight changes quickly around the equinoxes, bell strikes become more frequent. Near the solstices, the pace grows spacious and contemplative.
You can ring a single bell or follow the composition. Both belong in the chorus.
BERKELEY · AUDIENCE C · EDITION 5
Explore the audience score.
Try the existing visual score to get a feel for listening and ringing together.
More music and listening materials are coming soon.
HOPE HAS A SOUND
Solstice Bells in motion.
Bronze bell
A shared moment of hope, reflection, and brighter days.
Join the ringingHELP THE SOUND TRAVEL
Make room for hope.
Help bring more bells together.
Support will help make Solstice Bells accessible to more people and places.
Bell Keeper
Donate up to $10,000.
Support Solstice Bells events around the globe.
Become a Bell Keeper (opens the Bell Keeper form in a new tab)OUR HIGHEST GIVING LEVEL
Ringleader
Donate above $10,000.
Underwrite the production of the iconic “Solstice Bells”.
Donations coming soon.
We’re working on our 501(c) status and preparing a way to contribute. Donation details will appear here when ready.
You can also join at no cost as a Bell Ringer, or host an event as a Bell Steward.
Explore ways to participate